Francis j



(No Model.)

1?. J. SKILLEN.

HAIR RIBBON RETAINER.

No. 595,926. Patented Dec. 21, 1897.

m: "cams PETERS co.. PNOTO-LITHOV WASHKNGTON. D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS J. SKILLEN, OF READING, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO GEORGE W.CAPEN, OF SAME PLACE.

HAIR-RIBBON RETAINER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 595,926, dated December21, 1897.

Application filed October 8, 1897. Serial No. 654,509. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANCIS J. SKILLEN, of Reading in the county ofMiddlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Hair-Ribbon Retainers, of which the following isa specification.

This invention relates to a hair-ribbon retainer, and has for its objectto provide a clasp IO or supporter for holding a ribbon in place on abraid of hair. V

The invention consists in the improved device which I shall now proceedto describe.

Of the accompanying drawings, forming IS a part. of this specification,Figure 1 is a perspective View of my improved ribbon-retainer. Fig. 2 isa View showing the reverse side of a braid of hair supportinga'hair-ribbon and my improved hair-ribbon retainer.

Fig. 3 is a section on line 3 3 of Fig; 2.

4 is a section on line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in all thefigures.

In the drawings, a represents the body por tion of the ribbon-retainer,which is preferably a plate of sheet metal bent near its ends and havingteeth 1) formed on the bent portions.

0 is an eye on one edge of the plate. With said eye is engaged anelastic strap (1, preferably made in the form of a loop of flexibleelastic material. To the free end of the strap dis affiXed a cam-levercatch 6, adapted to engage a hook f, formed on the plate a at a pointopposite to the eye c.

When it is desired to affix a ribbon or bow to the hair by means of thedescribed device, one edge of the ribbon is engaged with the teeth atone end of the plate a, and all the teeth are then embedded in thebraid. The elastic strap 65 is then passed around the braid or plait d,embracing the same tightly, and is engaged with the hook f by means ofthe catch e in the manner illustrated in Fig. 4. The ribbon is thussecured to the braid and may be tied around the braid in the usualmanner, the ribbon being preferably engaged with the teeth at the upperend of the plate and then turned down to cover the plate, as shown inFig. 3.

To unfasten the device, the outer end or shank of the catch 6 is swungoutwardly from the plate, the said catch during this operation becominga lever, with its fulcrum on the outer end of the hook f, so that thedescribed movement of the lever disengages the loop d from the saidhook. When in position, the device is concealed behind or under thefolds of the ribbon.

It will be seen that my ribbon-retainer is capable of being quicklyattached and of securely holding the ribbon in place.' The retainer alsoholds the end portion of the braid and prevents it from becomingunbraided.

It is obvious that the device may be used in connection with othermasses or strands of hair or fibrous material, such as the tails ofhorses.

I claim A ribbon-retainer comprising a toothed plate having a hook, aflexible strap attached to said plate, and a lever-catch on said strapadapted to engage said hook.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses, this 15th day of September, A. D.1897.

FRANCIS J. SKILLEN.

Witnesses:

O. F. BROWN, A. D. HARRISON.

